Most Windows games run on Linux through Proton, but the games that decide whether you can switch are the multiplayer titles with anti-cheat. Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye can work under Proton only when the developer turns Linux support on, and kernel-level systems such as Riot Vanguard do not work on Linux at all. Check each game you play against an anti-cheat tracker and recent player reports before you wipe anything.
Why anti-cheat is the real compatibility problem
Proton translates Windows system calls so a game believes it is running on Windows. That works for graphics, audio, input, and most copy protection. Anti-cheat is different, because its job is to inspect the machine and detect tampering. If it expects a Windows kernel driver and finds Linux instead, it either refuses to start or cannot do its job.
Anti-cheat falls into three practical groups:
- User-space anti-cheat with a Linux build. Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye both offer Proton-compatible modes. They run without a Windows kernel driver, but the developer has to opt in and keep it enabled.
- Kernel-level anti-cheat. Riot Vanguard, and the in-house systems from large publishers such as EA’s Javelin and Activision’s Ricochet, install deep Windows drivers. These have no Linux equivalent, and a game that requires one will not run.
- No anti-cheat, or server-side only. Most single-player games and many multiplayer games rely on server-side detection and need nothing special.
This matters because a game’s Linux status can change even when the game itself did not. The same title can work for a year and then stop when its developer disables the Linux toggle or switches anti-cheat vendors.
How to read an anti-cheat tracker
The community-run tracker Are We Anti-Cheat Yet? sorts anti-cheat protected games into five categories. At one recent snapshot it listed roughly 1,167 titles, with about 17 percent Supported, 24 percent Running, a handful Planned, 55 percent Broken, and about 5 percent Denied. Those counts only cover games that use anti-cheat, so they say nothing about the much larger library of games without any, and they move over time.
| Status | What it means | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Supported | Developer has enabled Linux or Proton support | Safe to plan around, but keep an eye on patch notes |
| Running | Works, but without a clear commitment from the developer | Usable today; assume it could break after an update |
| Planned | Linux support announced, not yet delivered | Do not switch on a promise |
| Broken | Does not work, though nobody has said it will not | Keep Windows for this game |
| Denied | Developer has chosen to block Linux | Expect no change; plan an alternative |
The tracker has listed Valorant and Fortnite as Denied, along with several other large shooters, and at its snapshot it showed titles such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Dead by Daylight as Supported. Since individual statuses shift, treat those names as examples and check the live entry for your own games.
A five-step check before you switch
- Write down the games you play weekly, not the whole library. A single blocked competitive game can outweigh a hundred working singleplayer titles, so rank by hours played.
- Look each one up on the anti-cheat tracker. This identifies the vendor and the status, and it separates “Linux is blocked on purpose” from “nobody has tested it”.
- Read the ProtonDB page for the game, sorted by recent reports. ProtonDB ranks games from Platinum (runs perfectly) through Gold (works after small tweaks), Silver (playable with issues), and Bronze (frequent problems) to Borked. Reports from the last few months matter more than the badge.
- Check the Steam Deck compatibility rating on the store page. Valve’s Verified and Playable labels take anti-cheat into account, so a Verified game is a strong sign that the anti-cheat works on Linux.
- Look for a statement from the developer. Patch notes and support pages sometimes say outright that Linux is unsupported, which beats any community guess.
If the answer is still unclear, use Steam’s refund window as a safety net: a purchase is generally refundable within 14 days and under 2 hours of play, which is enough time to see whether the game gets past its launcher and anti-cheat screen.
Beyond anti-cheat: other reasons a game fails
Anti-cheat gets the attention, but several other issues show up in compatibility reports.
- Launcher problems. Some games depend on a publisher launcher that has its own Windows-only components. Proton updates tend to repair these, so a game can move between working and broken after a launcher update.
- Video cutscenes and codecs. A game may run but show a black screen during intro videos. Proton ships codec workarounds, but older builds can miss them.
- Copy protection. Most mainstream copy protection works under Proton, but a few older schemes install drivers and do not.
- Shader compilation stutter. Games can stutter the first time they meet an effect. Steam can pre-cache shaders, and the problem fades as the cache fills.
- Upscaling and ray tracing options. Features depend on your GPU and driver rather than Proton alone, so a setting that exists on Windows may be absent or slower.
Which approach fits which player
| Player type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Mostly single-player and indie | Switch fully; compatibility is excellent for this group |
| Plays a mix, with one or two blocked online games | Dual boot, with Linux for daily use and Windows on a separate drive for those games |
| Main game uses Vanguard, Javelin, or Ricochet | Stay on Windows, or switch only after the game changes policy |
| Wants to try Linux with no commitment | Install Linux on a spare drive and run your most-played games before deciding |
| Plays mostly on a handheld | Follow Steam Deck ratings; they already account for anti-cheat |
What “Running” status means for your account
Some games work through Proton although the developer never promised to support it. The game runs, but the developer may later treat a Linux client as unrecognized. That is why a “Running” entry deserves more caution than a “Supported” one, and why you should read the game’s own support page before investing in competitive rank on a setup the developer has not blessed. When a developer publicly says Linux is unsupported, take it seriously rather than relying on a workaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Easy Anti-Cheat work on Linux?
It can. Easy Anti-Cheat has a Proton-compatible mode, but each developer must enable it for their game. A game using the same vendor may work in one title and be blocked in another.
Why will Valorant never run on Linux?
Valorant uses Riot Vanguard, a kernel-level driver designed for Windows. Without an equivalent for Linux, and with no sign that Riot plans to build one, the game cannot start on a Linux system.
Can I get banned for using Proton?
Running a game through Proton is not itself a violation when the developer has enabled Linux support. The risk is with games that block Linux but can be coaxed into starting; in that case an account action is possible and the developer owes you no protection.
Where do I check if a game works?
Use an anti-cheat tracker for protected multiplayer games, then confirm with recent ProtonDB reports and the Steam Deck rating on the store page. Combining all three gives a more reliable answer than any single source.
Is dual booting worth it?
For players with one or two blocked games, yes. Keeping Windows on a separate drive lets you use Linux for everything else without giving up the games that need it.
